THE EASTSIDER
December, 2013
VANDERBILT YMCA 224 East 47th Street New York, NY 10017 ymcanyc.org/vanderbilt
A NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE VANDERBILT YMCA
New York State Senator Liz Krueger Visits Vanderbilt’s Teen Center
IN THIS ISSUE •
Senator Elizabeth Kruger Visits Vanderbilt’s Teen Center
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The Julia Richman Education Complex Vanderbilt YMCA Off-site Participates in Project Sunshine’s Kids for Kids/Teens for Teens Program.
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Vanderbilt Hosts Staff Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
IMPORTANT DATES •
Preschool Kids Night Out (Ages 2-4) Friday, January 3, 2014 6:00-9:00 PM
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School Age Kids Night Out (Ages 5-11) Friday, January 10, 2014 6:00-9:00 PM
• Annual Campaign Kickoff Tuesday, January 21, 2014 7:00-8:30 PM
Pictured left to right: NY State Senator, Liz Krueger and Vanderbilt’s Associate Executive Director, Janet LoCurto pose with a YMCA shirt.
On December 10th, Senator, Liz Krueger visited the Vanderbilt YMCA to give a presentation to 26 Youth and Government and Teens Take the City participants. She revealed enlightening facts and offered sound advice about crafting legislation. The Senator focused on the importance of recognizing the opposition and analyzing both sides of an argument. Another issue discussed was the lack of handicap accessibility in NYC schools. In the end, the highly-engaged teens absorbed the knowledge that Senator Krueger shared and they walked away with priceless information that will certainly help them to create a viable bill.
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QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, IDEAS? Contact our Communications Assistant, Stephanie Buscema at sbuscema@ymcanyc.org
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December, 2013
The Julia Richman Education Complex Vanderbilt YMCA Off-site Participates in Project Sushine’s Kids for Kids/ Teens for Teens Program
Pictured above: Yun Ting (Chloe) Lin makes journals to send to children’s hospitals.
Vanderbilt Hosts Staff Winter Wonderland Holiday Party
Pictured above: Vanderbilt’s Senior Finance Manager Balan Iyer dances at the staff Winter Wonderland Holiday Party dressed as Santa.
The Julia Richman Education Complex Vanderbilt YMCA Off-site has partnered with Project Sunshine, a nonprofit organization that provides free educational, recreational and social programs to children and families living with medical challenges. Project Sunshine empowers a dynamic and dedicated corps of over 15,000 volunteers bringing programming that ranges from the arts, tutoring and mentoring, as well as HIV and nutritional counseling.
The Vanderbilt YMCA’s staff hosted their annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Party to celebrate the season. The gala was hosted in the 2nd floor gym on Thursday, December 5.
The Vanderbilt YMCA offers many school-based programs for teens ages 14-18 years, with a focus on leadership development, college readiness and the arts. These programs are offered to all students who attend the Julia Richman Education Complex schools Monday through Friday during the school day and after-school.
Employees brought guests to the venue, which was decorated in blue and silver colors. Vanderbilt’s own Senior Finance Manager, Balan Iyer dressed as Santa Claus which brought smiles to the children that were in attendance.
At the off-site, the Teens joined the Kids for Kids/ Teens for Teens program where students participate in community service projects to The festivities included a DJ who create Craft Kids, Surgi Dolls and Sunny grams that are sent to played festive music to liven the hospitalized children all over the country. Those participating will party and abundant food and drink. volunteer through November and December. At the end of the evening, everyone Through this partnership, the teens have crafted journals that will in attendance got to go home with be sent to children’s hospitals around the world. Approximately 50 a holiday take away, a personalized journals have been created. The students were given this opportunity 2014 calendar. to participate and gain in-house community service hours. 2